RTI
stands for Right to Information. Right to Information is a part of fundamental
rights under Article 19(1) of the Constitution. Article 19 (1) says that every
citizen has freedom of speech and expression. As early as in 1976, the Supreme
Court said in the case of Raj Narain vs State of UP, that people cannot speak or
express themselves unless they know. Therefore, right to information is embedded
in article 19. In the same case, Supreme Court further said that India is a
democracy, People are the masters. Therefore, the masters have a right to know
how the governments, meant to serve them, are functioning. Further, every
citizen pays taxes. Even a beggar on the street pays tax (in the form of sales
tax, excise duty etc) when he buys a piece of soap from the market. The citizens
therefore, have a right to know how their money was being spent. These three
principles were laid down by the Supreme Court while saying that RTI is a part
of our fundamental rights.

If RTI is a fundamental right, then why do we need
an Act to give us this right?

This
is because if you went to any Government Department and told the officer there,
“RTI is my fundamental right, and that I am the master of this country.
Therefore, please show me all your files”, he would not do that. In all
probability, he would throw you out of his room. Therefore, we need a machinery
or a process through which we can exercise this fundamental right. Right to
Information Act 2005, which became effective on 13th October 2005,
provides that machinery. Therefore, Right to Information Act does not give us
any new right. It simply lays down the process on how to apply for information,
where to apply, how much fees etc.

When did RTI Act come into force?

The Central Right to Information
Act came into force on the 12th October, 2005. However, before that 9 state
Governments had passed state Acts. These were J & K, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam & Goa.

What rights are available under RTI Act 2005?

Right to Information Act 2005 empowers every citizen to

q
Ask any questions from the Government or seek any information

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Take copies of any government documents

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Inspect any government documents.

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Inspect any Government work.

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Take samples of materials of any Government work.

Bihar is one
of the first states to accept right to information applications on phone. The
objective was to ensure transparency and to expand its reach to villages, where
the literacy rate is low. Bihar Government launched the first call centre
on RTI in Patna. People can take any kind of information from any
department under state Government by applying On Line "JANKARI" one have to dial
phone no. 155310 & 155311

List of Police Officers as a Information Officer of Purnea District Police.